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Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email; release documents, photos online

Iran-linked hackers claim breach of FBI Director Kash Patel’s email; release documents, photos online

FBI Director Kash Patel Photograph: (AFP)

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Iran-linked hackers claim to have breached FBI Director Kash Patel’s email, releasing photos and documents online, with officials saying data appears authentic

Hackers with alleged ties to Iran have claimed responsibility for breaching the personal email account of Kash Patel, the current director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The group, calling itself Handala Hack Team, has reportedly released images of Kash Patel along with various documents online. In a statement published on its website, the group declared that Patel had been added to its list of successfully targeted individuals. A representative from the Justice Department acknowledged the incident, noting that the leaked materials appear to be genuine.

The FBI has not issued an immediate response, and attempts to reach the hackers for comment were unsuccessful. Handala describes itself as a pro-Palestinian hacktivist collective, though Western cybersecurity analysts believe it operates as a front for Iranian state-backed cyber units.

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Earlier this month, the group also claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Stryker, a US-based medical technology company, alleging it had erased a significant volume of data. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the emails. However, the Gmail address cited by the hackers matches one previously associated with Kash Patel in older data leaks tracked by cybersecurity firm District 4 Labs. Samples of the leaked content reviewed appear to include both personal and professional communications spanning nearly a decade, from 2010 to 2019.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

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Jatin Verma

With over 12 years of experience in journalism, Jatin is currently working as Senior Sub-Editor at WION. He brings a dynamic and insightful voice to both the sports and the world o...Read More